Went to hear Chuck Palahniuk talk last night. He's promoting his latest book, Choke, which my two friends had already purchased and finished in a span of a few hours. Chuck likened his writing process to a two-mile Japanese fishing net, in which he snagged anecdotes (often embarrasing) from his friends and strangers and put them in his novels. "I don't want to take credit for them," he said, "but I don't mind getting paid for them."

When he was young and without a lot of money, he couldn't understand why contestants on The Price is Right would choose a trip to Paris over a long-lasting couch set. At least the couch would be there next week. But eventually he learned that experience is every bit (if not more) important than possessions, a good lesson for those of us who are graduating and setting off on new adventures soon.

But you're probably wondering what the accompanying picture has to do with anything. While getting his book signed, my friend Jacob told Chuck about his thesis which was heavily influenced by the author's edgy cadence and voice. Searching for some way to pass the creative torch on to a promising author, Chuck handed Jacob the daisy Chuck had had in his breast pocket all evening. Jacob got a but quivery, and my friend Annie and I looked on with maternal pride. Jacob, Annie, and I commenced to watch Fight Club on video.